Nice Pick, Cowher » one for the thumb

A Steeler Decade In Review (Part 2)

chris — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:13:05 +0000

2005

At last! After 25 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally had one for the thumb.

And they did it the hard way.

Things started badly as both Duce and Bus were hurt in the preseason. That meant starting RB duties fell to a 2nd year undrafted free agent by the name of Willie Parker. Fast Willie introduced himself by rushing for 161 yards in his first game. He added 111 more in his second. The heir apparent to Bettis was finally found.

Still, the team struggled. Big Ben battled injuries necessitating two starts from his backup, Tommy Maddox. The team lost both games with Maddox playing terribly. An overtime loss against Jacksonville saw him throw two interceptions during regulation then fumble a snap in overtime when the team was in game winning FG range. The defense forced a punt so Maddox took matters into his own hands by throwing his third INT, a Pick Six which ended the game.

Steeler fans dumped garbage on his lawn and taunted his two young children after that game in what was the only time I was ever embarrassed to be a member of Steeler Nation.

As of week 13, the Steelers were 7-5 and on the outside looking in at the playoffs. The team then reeled off four straight wins beginning with a defeat of the Bears where Jerome Bettis clobbered supposed All-Pro LB Brian Urlacher. They finished the season 11-5 which was only good for the sixth seed.

I’m sure we all know what happened next. Kimo von Oelhoffen went Kobra Kai on Carson Palmer, sweeping the leg and tearing his ACL. The Steelers beat the #3 seed Bengals to move on to the #1 seeded Colts. They thoroughly outplayed Indy but only Big Ben making The Tackle on Bus’s monumentally ill-timed fumble kept Indy from taking the lead. Karma balanced things out when Indy’s kicker missed the game tying FG. The Steelers then traveled out to Denver and knocked off the #2 seeded Broncos.

In Super Bowl XL, Pittsburgh faced the NFC’s #1 seed, the Seattle Seahawks. The signature play was provided on FWP’s 75 yard TD run early in the second half. However, MVP honors fell to Hines Ward, who caught 5 passes for 123 yards and a TD thrown by the best QB on the field that day, WR Antwaan Randle El. After fourteen long years, Bill Cowher finally won the big one.

Jerome Bettis announced his retirement following the game, a fitting conclusion to the career of one of the all-time greatest Steelers.

2006

The year got off to a bad start when Ben Roethlisberger was sideswiped by some nearsighted old bat while riding his motorcycle. Ben suffered life threatening injuries because he was too stupid to wear a helmet. His entire face had to be reconstructed with screws and Elmer’s Glue. To add insult to injury, a week before the start of the season, he also underwent an emergency appendectomy.

More controversy raged during the preseason when Bettis, in his new role of NBC commentator, mentioned that Cowher told him he wanted to retire after winning the Super Bowl. Evidently he felt he owed it to his players and the Rooneys to come back and defend the title. However, he was burnt out from 15 years of coaching and with a new deal not on the horizon, it became more and more apparent this was his swan song with the Steelers.

The team won their first game with Charlie Batch filling in capably. Then they rushed Ben back for a Monday nighter in Jacksonville. Ben looked horrible and despite a superior defensive effort the team lost 9-0. Between the appendix operation and brain damage from the motorcycle accident, Ben was a shadow of himself most of the season. They also lost to a Raiders team which would only win two lousy games that year. At 2-6 at the mid-season point, hopes for a Super Bowl repeat were gone.

Still, the team rallied like champions and went 6-2 down the stretch. Playing the last few weeks under Cowher’s mantra of “Misery loves company,” they provided a little of that misery to the Bengals in the final game of the season. Cincy needed to win to make the postseason while the Steelers had no motivation but to send their coach out a winner. Which they did thanks to a 67 yard TD in OT by Santonio Holmes.

2007

Little known defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin was introduced as the Steelers new head coach. He immediately established his authority by refusing to let Casey Hampton practice or play until he lost weight. The veterans may not have liked him but he certainly got their attention. After the team faded badly down the stretch, some players grumbled it was a result of such a tough training camp.

Boo hoo.

The defense lost a ton of swagger when Joey Porter was released during the preseason. Peezy was a controversial and colorful character but he was also a ferocious linebacker in the true Steeler tradition. Of course his replacement, James Harrison, was no slouch either. In fact, had Joey not gotten thrown out of a game against Cleveland in pregame warmups, Silverback may have never gotten a chance to show the NFL what he could do.

The team roared out of the gate to a 9-3 record. Then safety Anthony Smith issued his infamous “guarantee” that they’d beat the Patriots. Tom Brady responded by torturing him for two long TD passes then talking trash. Smith got burned the next week as his big mouth wrote checks his meager abilities couldn’t cash and the team quickly lost two straight.

Things went further downhill when DE Aaron Smith was lost for the season. When he went down, the Steelers run defense went right along with him. Meanwhile, FWP broke his leg in the second to last game of the year. Parker was leading the NFL in rushing at the time and losing him pretty much wrecked our offense.

The team was one-and-done against Jacksonville. They fell behind early but mounted a comeback which was repeatedly sabotaged by Tomlin’s boneheaded insistence on going for 2 pt conversions. Still, who knows what would’ve happened if the refs hadn’t missed about four holding penalties on David Garrard‘s first down scramble that set Jacksonville up to kick the winning FG. The NFL director of officials apologized for the botch job after the game. But I thought the calls always went the Steelers way?

2008

Since we’re only one year removed, I’ll spare you a detailed recap. Suffice it to say, this year featured one of the best single season defensive efforts in history. Dick LeBeau and his men were either first or second in every major defensive category. Time and time again, Blitzburgh would create a big turnover or stop the opposition cold in their tracks. Combined with clutch last-second heroics from Big Ben, the season was about as exciting as any you’ll ever see.

Unfortunately, one very important member of Steeler Nation wasn’t here to see it. The year began on a sad note when the great Myron Cope passed away. The man who invented the Terrible Towel was surely looking down with an emphatic “YOI! DOUBLE YOI!” as the Steelers tore through the hardest schedule given any team in the past 30 years.

In the playoffs, the Steelers faced the Ratbirds for a third time. Three wins against our most hated enemy is nice enough but doing so for the right to play in the Super Bowl made it all the sweeter. In the big game, the Steelers faced the man who was their offensive coordinator in Super Bowl XL. Ken Whisenhunt and his Arizona Cardinals were a surprise entrant but they were a worthy opponent. The two teams played what is widely regarded as the most exciting Super Bowl ever. Only a last minute toe-dragging catch by MVP Santonio Holmes ensured that the season end on a high note. Get it, HIGH note?

2009

Which brings us to this year. Of course, no post Super Bowl off-season is complete without some Ben Roethlisberger drama. This time, it came in the form of a rape accusation by a cowboy hat wearing desk clerk out in Reno.

To further incur the Football Gods wrath, the folks at EA Sports put Troy Polamalu on the cover of their video game. The Madden Curse struck immediately as Troy was injured in the Steelers very first game. He came back briefly but this season has been a total write-off as far as he’s concerned.

Still, this squad got off to an excellent 6-2 start. Then the wheels fell off. Losses to three of the worst teams in the league mixed with a sweep by the Bengals. Ben was concussed in an OT loss to KC. Hines Ward went on national tv and called his QB a sissy. Tomlin issued threats and ultimatums which his team ignored. The defense couldn’t hold a lead while the offense repeatedly failed in the red zone. Ryan Clark accused the 400,000 fans who came to cheer him on just 10 months earlier of being “fairweather.” Losses mounted until the streak reached five straight. Only a slight rebound toward the end of the year has kept the team’s slim playoff hopes alive.

It’s looking like the decade will end much like it began. With the Steelers on the edge of greatness, searching for that missing player or two that will put them back into serious championship contention.

Still, two Super Bowl championships in four years and multiple playoff games made this an exciting time to be a Steeler fan. Without a doubt this was the best decade for the Black and Gold since the 1970′s. I’m sure we appreciate this team giving us memories we’ll carry for a lifetime. Here’s looking forward to more yet to come!

Mile High Showdown Looms For Steelers

chris — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:19:14 +0000

One long week from today, the Pittsburgh Steelers head to the Mile High City to face the Denver Broncos. A little of the luster has been lost from this match-up thanks to yesterday’s manhandling by the Baltimore Ravens which knocked Denver from the ranks of the undefeated. Nothing feels better than being the team that hands another club their first loss of the year. I love being a spoilsport.

When you ask Steeler Nation to name our biggest rivals, few would mention the Broncos. There are the traditional division rivals, like the Browns and Bengals. Then there are the Patriots and Ravens, teams we’ve battled for playoff glory most of this decade. And finally we have the Cowboys, a team we faced for the Super Bowl title on three occasions and the only team which rivals the Black and Gold on the national stage.

Nope, nobody mentions the Broncos. But I’m here to rectify that. Some of you newer fans may not be aware of the history these teams have together. In many ways, it’s been a much more heated competition over the last 25 years than the so-called rivalries we have with the Browns or Bengals.

In 1989, head coach Chuck Noll pulled off a miracle. He lead a thoroughly mediocre squad to the Wild Card game. In those days, there were only 3 division winners, all of whom got byes. Two Wild Card teams played a game to see who advanced to the final four. The Steelers won an OT thriller against the Houston Oilers when a young Rod Woodson steamrolled a punt returner, forcing a fumble which lead to the game winning FG.

The next week, the Steelers faced the Broncos. John Elway was in the midst of leading Denver to three Super Bowls in four years (and losing all of them) so the Donkeys were heavy favorites. Merrill Hoge (yes, the ESPN guy) had the game of his life, rushing for 120 yards on only 16 carries. Bubby Brister showed tremendous grit, playing almost an entire quarter with a concussion so severe his teammates had to literally walk him to the correct sideline. The Steelers were on the verge of a monumental upset until Elway pulled off one of his patented comebacks, throwing the go-ahead TD with 2:30 left. Yes, Chuck Noll almost made the AFC Championship game with Bubby Freakin’ Brister at quarterback. Now you know why he’s considered one of the best coaches ever.

Fast forward nine years later, Bill Cowher is coach and Kordell Stewart is our quarterback. This was when Slash was one of the most feared offensive weapons in the league and one of the most exciting players I’ve ever seen. I will never apologize for my man crush on Slash. Anyway, the Steelers were the #2 seed and welcomed the Broncos to Three Rivers Stadium. Kordell had a 33 yard TD run which sadly was the only positive in his otherwise horrific day. Three INTS and a fumble contributed to a 24-21 Broncos upset. This game will always be remembered because after Slash threw his second stupid pick in the red zone, Denver LB Bill Romanowski visibly slapped his forehead and yelled at Stewart, “Think, man. You gotta think.”

The Steelers finally got a measure of revenge during the miracle run of 2005. The Broncos had plucked QB Jake Plummer from obscurity in Phoenix and he lead them to the best record in the AFC. Pittsburgh was the lowest seed that year, faced with the daunting prospect of playing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd seeded teams in consecutive weeks. It turned out to be their easiest game of the playoffs, as the Steelers traveled out to Denver and whupped up on the Broncos 34-17. The Black and Gold went on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks for their fifth Lombardi Trophy which set off a torrent of whining from the Pacific Northwest that continues to this day.

So you can see there’s definitely some history between our respective franchises. If both teams are on a collision course for another epic playoff encounter, next Monday’s game takes on added importance. After all, it may end up determining who has the higher seed and thus, home field advantage. Prior history aside, that’s something I’m sure we all agree we want on our side come January.

Week 7 Recap: Snatching Victory From Defeat

chris — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:45:13 +0000

The Pittsburgh Steelers handed the Minnesota Vikings their first defeat of the season with an incredible 27-17 victory. That sentence may seem self-explanatory but it doesn’t even begin to cover what happened. In all my years of watching football, I don’t remember a crazier fifteen minutes of football than what occurred in the fourth quarter. Even for a team which seems to make a habit of the thrilling last second comeback, this one will be remembered by Steeler Nation for a long long time.

Things went well for the Steelers in the early going. Adrian Peterson was held to negative yardage in the first quarter, a first for him. He finished the game with only 69 yards (although he did have another 60 on catches), which is an accomplishment for any defense, let alone one playing without their best run-stopper. They ran right at Travis Kirschke on several occasions and he held his ground, while our linebackers attacked him like a Kit Kat bar at a Jenny Craig meeting.

The first quarter was a punt-fest which the Steelers got the better of thanks to a Mitch Berger impression by the Vikings’ punter. Mike Wallace had a 10 yard catch and then a 13 yard reverse to set the Steelers up at the Vikings thirteen yard line. Ben Roethlisberger, who was a fairly mediocre 14/26 for 175 yards, hit Santonio Holmes for a TD.

Unfortunately, the score was negated by a pass interference penalty against Heath Miller. Evidently, you can interfere with a pass that you not only didn’t catch but was thrown to another receiver 15 yards away. I understand you’re not allowed to run into DBs to prevent them from covering their man. However, it looked to me like the two, yes TWO, DBs Heath ran over bumped into each other first. And there’s still the little fact they were FIFTEEN YARDS AWAY FROM THE PLAY!

The Steelers settled for a FG. After more punts, the Vikings began a methodical drive down the field featuring a 28 yard pass to Percy Harvin and capped by a Peterson blast. With 1:39 left in the half, the Vikes went to some soft zone type defense and Big Ben methodically picked them apart. A 22 yard pass to super-rookie Wallace (Who deserves a cool nickname. Suggestions please.) was followed up with a 40 yard bomb for a TD. Black and Gold up 10-7 at halftime.

The third quarter saw an exchange of FGs. The Steelers wasted a great opportunity to score a knockout blow with a first and goal from the Minny 8. Three consecutive pass plays resulted in a near INT, a busted play, and an incompletion. This team leaves the barn door open more often than Matt Spaeth after an all-night bender.

Then came the unbelievable fourth quarter. The Steelers drove downfield, mixing pass and run quite effectively. First down at the Minnesota 9 and it appeared they were finally going to club that baby seal. A hand-off to Rashard Mendenhall and…and…

…and what the f*#k happened?? I saw what happened but can’t quite believe it. In over two decades of watching football, I’ve never seen a dumber play. Mendenhall launched himself skyward, unfortunately failing to take the ball with him. The Vikes pounced on his horrendous fumble while I literally screamed at my television. Rashard, you see, attempted what looked like perfect goal line dive. Problem was, he jumped from the SEVEN YARD LINE!! Does he think he’s Michael Jordan!? Who attempts an endzone dive from SEVEN FREAKIN’ YARDS AWAY?!?

Predictably, Brett Favre took this gift and marched the Vikes right down the field. Our secondary fell apart as Troy Polamalu was way out of position several times and they picked on Will.i.am Gay mercilessly all game long. To make matters worse, Kirschke and Lawrence Timmons both left the game with injuries during the drive. In Timmons’ case, that would come back to haunt the Vikings later, much like the movie Paranormal Activity haunts my dreams on a nightly basis. A tripping call on Minnesota nullified a TD pass to Sidney Rice, momentarily saving the Steelers from yet another 4th quarter choke.

Still, with a third and 8 from the Steelers 8, it looked like the Vikes would get the tying FG. Then Brett Keisel darted up the middle and swatted the ball out of Favre’s mitts. Mister Woodley rescued the pigskin from the evil clutches of Captain Wrangler and a whole convoy of Steelers escorted him 77 yards the other way for a TD.

To say everybody was excited is like saying Megan Fox kinda looks like a stripper. Even Dick LeBeau was celebrating! Steeler nation was excited. Heinz Field was rocking. I was doing my patented Snoopy Dance of Joy.

Then we kicked off.

Percy Harvin took the ball and without the slightest hesitation streaked the other way for an 88 yard TD. He was barely touched. And I never EVER want to hear how kickers are football players again because Skippy Reed‘s attempt to “tackle” him was laughable. After apologizing to Steeler Nation this week, you’d think he’d at least try to make up by throwing his body at Harvin. Instead he just gave him a dainty little push like he was afraid to break a nail. Way to go, dipshit.

The Steelers got the ball back and at this point I was just hoping we could somehow run out the clock. Naturally, Bruce Arians answers my prayers by dialing up a SHOTGUN PASS. This ends in epic failure as Ben gets the ball stripped and the Steelers are lucky to swat it out of bounds. Which left Brett Favre with the ball, down 3, with three minutes left. In other words, exactly where we didn’t want to be.

And Favre immediately makes our nightmares come true by leading his team down the field. The key play here was Purple Jesus SMITING William Gay on a short dump pass before rumbling 30 yards. Minnesota had the ball at the Steelers 19 and at this point I was just hoping for OT. Then Favre floated a screen pass to Chester Taylor who got his fingertips on it enough to deflect it into the waiting hands of Keyaron Fox. Fox was escorted 82 yards for the second thrilling defensive TD in the quarter.

I don’t know what else to say about this one. We played a legitimate Super Bowl contender and held them to one offensive TD. We also squandered several chances to put the game away on offense, continuing the disturbing trend of not finishing teams when they have the chance. On the other hand, our defense playing without three starters had four sacks, a ton of pressures, held the league’s best RB pretty much in check, and scored two TDs. Sure our secondary isn’t nearly as good as it was last year but this was the first time I felt our defense matched 2008′s level. And we all know how last year ended. If the Steelers could figure out how to stop sabotaging their efforts with dumb mistakes on offense and special teams, this team would really be dangerous.

Know Thy Enemy: Bengals Q&A

chris — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:04:31 +0000

Last week, Mike over at Bear Goggles On answered some of our questions about his team. Since his words seemed tragically prophetic (I’m looking at you, Johnny Knox), I thought we’d go behind enemy lines once again to take a look at this week’s opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mickey over at WhoDeyFans agreed to answer some questions about this year’s squad. Let’s take a look at his answers…

Has Carson Palmer rebounded from his injury plagued 2008?

As far as the injury, I think he is physically 100%. However, after having a whole season off, and then an ankle injury in the preseason, he needs to get back into game playing mode with his receivers. Palmer has made some great throws this season and some bad ones. I think as the season progresses he will get tighter and in better timing with the wide outs. He is not a major concern going into this game.

How are the thugs criminals reclamation projects (Cedric Benson, Chris Henry, Tank Johnson) on your team working out?

Cedric Benson seems to be the workhorse running back the Bengals need. His punishing running style also seems to fit in well in the AFC North. He looks to hit whoever is in his way, he had a great hit last weekend on a safety that got him an extra yard. Last season he blasted some guy with long hair in the Pitt secondary and knocked him silly. We at WhoDeyFans are big supporters of Chris Henry. While we don’t condone illegal activity, when the guy plays he is awesome. In 2006 when he faced the Steelers as the number 3 wideout he had something like 196yds and 3 td’s in two games. He has scored in every game but one this season (including preseason). Tank adds something else the Bengals have needed for a long time, defensive line depth. Just the ability to rotate guys in and out makes the defensive line stronger.

The Bengals lost in week 1 on a miracle last second play by, um, I forget what receiver ended up catching the ball…

Oh, that’s right, Stokley. Anyway, was your reaction to the crazy turn of events anywhere near as vociferous as Gus Johnson’s?

Well, I was at the game and it sucked. My initial reaction is the same as my thoughts now. You are not going to win many NFL games when you don’t score until less than a minute remains. The Bengals defense kept the game winnable and the offense laid an egg. Last week against Green Bay the offense showed up and gave the Bengals fans some hope.

Carson Palmer’s unfortunate problems with injuries, that fluky last second loss, even your 2009 first round draft pick broke his foot after only one day of practice. Why do these things always seem to happen to the Bengals?

Palmer never really had a problem with injuries until the one last season. Granted, he was injured in the playoff loss to Pitt in 2005 but I think that was a fluke play that would have had anyone out. He recovered and missed no time the next season. That being said, I don’t think the Bengals have any worse luck than any other NFL team. The Patriots last year lost Brady right off the bat and still managed to go 11 and 5. The major difference between the Bengals and these other teams starts at the top. The Bengals are terrible at scouting and finding players to fit the system. If ownership doesn’t realize this and make a change, any small misfortune will lead to major disappointment for Bengal fans.

Prediction (and no, you’re not eligible to win the $100 gift certificate from Dick’s Sporting Goods):

Ben has never lost in Ohio. The Steelers own the Bengals especially in Paul Brown, however, I think that all changes this week. In the past the Bengals have beat the Steelers with an explosive offense only. This year the Bengals boast a defense that is better than the offense. The Bengals should be able to handle the Steelers offense a little better than the past and the offense can put up around 21 – 24 points on anyone. Bengals win 27 – 24.

Steelers Training Camp BattleZone

chris — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:24:46 +0000

At last!

Friday marked the beginning of training camp 2009 for our beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. Camp Tomlin will be but the first step in what is sure to be another glorious season for the Black and Gold.

The Steelers are very fortunate in that unlike the last time they were defending champs, this team has suffered no major losses during the off season. Still, as it is with every training camp, there will be some positions up for grabs. I thought I’d highlight some of the key training camp battles for you now.

Dennis Dixon vs. Charlie Batch for the #2 Quarterback spot – I don’t watch many preseason games. I know I probably should, being a self-appointed expert on all things Steelers, but I just can’t stay interested in watching third or fourth string guys knowing most will never see playing time during an actual game and many won’t even make the final cut. However, I did watch one game start to finish last year and if you saw this game, I’m sure you remember it as the “Dennis Dixon Show.” He blasted off a 47 yard touchdown scramble that was like a flashback to the glory days of Kordell Stewart.

Dixon is a superior athlete who coming out of college was a Heisman contender and likely 1st Round pick until he totally blew out his ACL. He wasn’t ready for the job last year but with that injury another year behind him and having another year to learn our offense, Dixon’s tremendous ability could earn him to the #2 QB spot behind Ben Roethlisberger.

Charlie Batch has long been deemed “The best backup in the NFL,” although at 34 years of age and coming off a broken clavicle, his best days are probably behind him. Dixon is the future. One has to think if DD shows he can handle the offense at a level anywhere close to equal with Batch, the backup job will be his.

An added bonus to DD taking the job is we may see the Steeler run their own version of the Wildcat with him under center. NFL rules state a #3 QB can only enter the game when the other two QBs are injured and then cannot come out even if they’re ready to return so that prevented them from going Wildcat last season. With Dixon as the #2, it could very well be in the playbook.

Which brings up Michael Vick. There has been an absolutely ridiculous rumor floating around that the Steelers are somehow interested in this clown. First off, we already had a player like him, we called him Slash and he was better than Vick in every way. Secondly, the Steelers do not welcome felons and criminals with open arms. Try the Bengals. Lastly, we invested a high draft pick on DD, who is also a running Wildcat-type QB, why would we then sign a player exactly like him except older and with more baggage than USAir?

The only way this scenario could remotely be possible is if one of our backup QBs are lost to a season ending injury. Much like last year, the Steelers would go into a Byron Leftwich scenario where they’d try to find an unemployed veteran on the cheap. However, even that’s iffy because Vick hasn’t played football for two years.

Carey Davis vs. Sean McHugh for starting fullback - Head coach Mike Tomlin declared this job was up for grabs early in the off season. About time. I’ll never understand how Davis won the job and/or continued to hold the job in the first place. His blocking is terrible, he can’t run with the ball, and the only reason they supposedly liked him was he could catch out of the backfield. This worked out to the tune of a whopping 5 catches last season.

McHugh, a converted tight end we picked up from the Detroit Lions, isn’t much of a threat, either. But he can block. The most effective running attack the Steelers had last year was when they lined up in the I-formation with McHugh leading the way. I have to think McHugh wins this job unless Tomlin’s odd fascination with Davis manages to win out yet again.

Kraig Urbik vs Darnell Stapleton for starting RG - Stapleton replaced starter Kendall Simmons, who tore his Achilles Tendon in that Monday Night Bloodbath against the Ravens (3 players were lost for the year in that game). Simmons was released as reports were his rehab was coming along very slowly and he was not expected to be able to play this year.

Stapleton is an undersized RG who survives in the NFL thanks to very quick feet for an OL. Thus, his strength is in pass protection. He lacks the power and bulk to be an effective run blocker, though.

Urbik, a third round pick out of Wisconsin, is 6’6 330 pounds. It’s safe to say he has size and bulk. We haven’t seen him yet but the book on him is he’s very much like Chris Kemoteau, a big plodding mauler. He’ll likely act as a bulldozer in the run game with the only question being if he has the quickness to handle NFL caliber pass rushers.

In other words, we have one RG who can pass block but not run block and another RG who can run block but might be a human pylon. One of them will start for us. Yay.

Stefan Logan vs. Joe Burnett vs. Mike Wallace for return man - If there’s one area the Steelers are absolutely embarrassing, it’s the return game. Our best KR last season was Gary Russell. Yes, a slow third string RB who caught the ball and barreled ahead was our best option at that position. Sad.

Russell was cut due to character issues so his place is going to be taken by one of three candidates. Burnett and Wallace are rookies, brought in mainly for their return prowess in college. Both have good speed and nice credentials but so did Willie Reid and we all know how that turned out.

Logan might be the most intriguing player in camp this year. He’s an itty bitty guy (5’6) we rescued from the Canadian Football League. He excelled in their wide open game as a scatback and return man. Since we already have Mewelde Moore as a 3rd down back, Logan is going to be looked at as a returner, which he did very well in the CFL. Again, I have not seen him yet but have heard people say he is very Devin Hester-ish in his speed and field vision. I’ll believe that when I see it.

Limas Sweed vs. Shaun McDonald for the #3 receiver spot - This is Sweed’s job to lose. The Steelers invested a 2nd round pick in him which many thought was a steal because he was projected as a late first rounder. He played sparingly last year and then when he did get a look late in the season/playoffs, he had several horrible drops. I’m not ready to give up on him, though. Hands are something that can be worked on, speed and getting open are usually not. Sweed can get open. He also showed a nice mean streak when he obliterated Ravens CB Corey Ivy in the AFC Championship Game.

However, if Sweed continues to make groan-worthy drops, the Steelers won’t hesitate to install Shaun McDonald in the slot. McDonald is a six year veteran although still only 28 years old. He had a career year in 2007 when he caught 6 TDs and piled up 943 yards. His numbers suffered last year which isn’t shocking when one looks at the embarrassing string of QBs the Lions had throwing to him. Unless he comes into camp completely out of shape of makes inappropriate Irish jokes in front of the Rooneys, I can’t see him not making the team. The only question is whether Sweed will play himself out of playing time or McDonald will play himself in.

Football’s back, baby!